A network executive at CBS confirmed the firing to the Associated Press, while a person who works at ABC and is familiar with the incident said their network notified CBS about the connection between their new hire and the leaked tape.

"We would not put it on the air. Um, first of all, I was told, who's Jeffrey Epstein? No one knows who that is. This is a stupid story," Robach said on the recording. "Then, the Palace found out that we had her whole allegations about Prince Andrew and threatened us a million different ways. We were so afraid we wouldn't be able to interview Kate and Will that we, that also quashed the story."